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If Jude Bellingham wants to earn his place into the English top starting eleven, he would be wise to eliminate the dramatics. The way he reacted upon realizing that he was about to come up following a night of mixed performance in Tirana was not good enough.

"I prefer not to blow it out of proportion but I stand by my words 'attitude matters' and respect towards the teammates who enter the game," commented the coach. "Decisions are made and you need to comply being a professional."

There is a lesson for Bellingham. It was unnecessary for a tantrum. Harry Kane had only moments earlier made it the national team two goals ahead in a dead rubber qualifier, with only six minutes remaining and the player, after a below-par performance, had just been booked for a foul on the Albanian striker. This was hardly a debatable decision. Actually it might have been reckless for the manager to keep Bellingham on the pitch considering it was possible he would rule himself out of the first match of the World Cup by picking up a second yellow card.

Drawing Attention on Himself

However, the player made himself the center of attention. There was no disguising the player's annoyance when he clocked that his replacement was ready for another player. His arms went up in exasperation and although he accepted the coach's hand while heading to the bench it was obvious that Tuchel did not appreciate it.

This represents the hurdle for Bellingham. He applauded Rashford for delivering the cross for Kane to score the team's second, but everything else was self-defeating. There was no chance complaining was going to alter the decision. Tuchel has stressed repeatedly honoring the team structure and the necessity of behaving correctly.

Facing Examination

The midfielder, left out of the previous squad, is being watched carefully upon his return to the squad in the current camp. In effect he was being assessed and he has not done himself any favours by reacting to coming off the pitch as England wrapped up a ideal group stage by defeating a feisty challenge from the Albanian team.

Tactics and Formation

This implies it's unclear on if England perform optimally including Bellingham. The performance was not definitive. Some new ideas were tested by the coach in the beginning. He has given the squad structure and clarity over the past few matches, building with a holding player, a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder and dedicated wide players, but it felt different versus Albania. The young defender was handed his international debut, Adam Wharton started for the first time for England and the role of John Stones as an auxiliary midfielder meant there was similar look to City's 2023 treble winners.

A Game of Two Halves

Bellingham was a mixed bag. He set up a shot for Eberechi Eze in the latter period but frequently appeared overly eager to shine. Several hurried and errant passes. An unnecessary confrontation with a rival player at the beginning. England were ragged after halftime. An opportunity for Albania came after he lost the ball cheaply. His booking came after he was dispossessed to Broja and committed a foul on the former Chelsea striker.

Squad Strength Shows

Ultimately the squad's strength proved crucial. Tuchel introduced the Manchester City player, who appeared more naturally fitted to the spot in which Bellingham operated in the opening period, and the Arsenal winger. In time Saka provided a corner kick for Kane to score the first goal. It was a reminder that set pieces will be crucial next summer.

Bridge Still Stands

Still, though, the focus was on Bellingham. The brilliance of the winger's delivery for the second goal was a little lost in the ridiculousness of the player change. When the match concluded, everyone was watching Bellingham. Tuchel walked up to his side and directed the Real Madrid midfielder in the direction of the English fans. The bond between them is not broken. The coach isn't ready to abandon the player just yet. But if Tuchel is inclined to grant him a starring role is still uncertain.